King Oyo Laid to Rest at Karambi Amidst Tooro Succession Controversy

King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Tooro has been laid to rest at the Karambi Royal Tombs, concluding a reign that began when he was just three years old. The monarch, who officially took full control of the kingdom in 2010, was buried on September 12, exactly 31 years after his accession.

The final journey saw the king’s body depart the palace residence on Saturday morning, escorted by cultural guards and police pallbearers. A requiem mass was held at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City, led by Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, with numerous royals, cultural leaders, and political figures in attendance. Thousands of mourners lined the streets as the funeral cortege, culminating in a custom Mercedes-Benz hearse, made its way to the Karambi Royal Tombs.

Unusually, the interment took place in the late afternoon, deviating from Tooro cultural norms. This delay, reportedly over a dispute concerning the succession, cast a shadow over the proceedings. While the queen mother and sister called for unity, the Babiito clan chief announced Edward Kijanangoma Rukidi Nyabongo I as King Oyo’s successor.

This announcement followed a dispute where sections of the royal family reportedly favored the late king’s son, a claim contradicted by the Babiito council’s decision. The succession issue had reportedly created significant tension during the nine-day mourning period.

King Oyo was buried with a seven-gun salute, finally joining his father, Patrick Mathew Kaboyo Olimi II, and other Babiito monarchs at the royal mausoleum. The ceremony concluded a significant chapter for the Tooro Kingdom, with the succession question remaining a point of contention.

This article is based on information from the Daily Monitor.